06/26/25
Eliminating Barriers: Inside School App STL’s First Year of Impact
“What is the first thing a family does when they find out they’re moving to a new city?” said Leslie Kohlmeyer, Executive Director of Show Me MO Schools, who helped lead the launch. “They look at the schools. If we want people to live, work, and stay in St. Louis, we need this.”
In its first year, School App STL has unified the charter public school application process in St. Louis, creating a more accessible experience for families while generating powerful insights for educators and policymakers. A philanthropic partnership between the Missouri Charter Public School Association, The Opportunity Trust, and Show Me MO Schools, the platform has already received more than 4,500 applications with over 830 waitlist applications, revealing not only the strength of family interest in charter public options but also the emerging demand from outside St. Louis City.
Currently, The Leadership School is the only charter public option available to families outside the city of St. Louis, meaning most county families are ineligible to enroll in charter public schools, even when they show strong interest. Future open enrollment policies could change that, giving more families access to the schools that best meet their needs. Participating schools are already seeing the benefits of collaboration, transparency, and shared learning. With the potential to shape enrollment policy and community access, School App STL is proving to be more than a tech tool—it’s a driver of systemwide change.
Unlocking Hidden Demand
The launch of School App STL marked the first time that families in St. Louis could explore and apply to multiple charter public schools through a single, unified system. In doing so, it has also provided something the city never had before: real-time insight into how, when, and where families are seeking school options.
“My daughter is going into 5th grade, and we’ve been exploring middle school options. It’s been such a helpful guide in making the right choice,” said Rebecca, a parent.
More than 4,500 applications have flowed through the system to the 11 participating charter public schools in its inaugural year, and early data suggests interest from well beyond city boundaries, accounting for nearly 10% of total applications.
“I think that people are working in the city and thinking, wouldn’t it be great if I could also access that? ” said Kohlmeyer.
This growing cross-boundary interest, especially from families in North County, isn’t just a data point—it’s a signpost. “It’s at least sparking conversations,” said Kohlmeyer. Conversations that could one day shape policies like open enrollment.
She also emphasized the value of having this kind of systemwide data for the first time in St. Louis. “This is not data that we have ever had before in cities where there is school choice.”
A Culture Shift Among Schools to Benefit Parents
Previously, families had to navigate separate applications and enrollment processes for each charter public school, creating confusion and duplication that made it harder to find the best fit for their children. Beyond streamlining applications for families, the platform has also helped shift the culture among charter public schools, breaking down silos and fostering a sense of shared purpose.
“That autonomy also sometimes makes them feel like they’re the only one experiencing something or that somebody hasn’t figured out a better way,” Kohlmeyer said.
To address that, School App STL brought leaders together through an enrollment council, a space where schools now share best practices, compare operational models, and solve challenges collectively.
“So when we put together the council, they talk about other things,” Kohlmeyer continued. “If one of you is having an issue, you probably all are.”
That collaboration has built trust and results. Schools are now sharing best practices, helping one another troubleshoot records requests, and collectively improving the parent experience.
“This app has been incredibly helpful! I’ve been able to find answers to so many of my questions. I have three children enrolled, and this tool has made things so much easier,” said Terri, a parent.
Building Toward a Better System
The long-term vision for School App STL goes far beyond an online form. The team hopes to create a consistent, predictable timeline that families can rely on each year, anchored by a citywide fair, coordinated open houses, and a shared deadline.
“We want a neighbor to be able to tell a new family, ‘Oh yeah, every year there’s a fair, that’s when you apply. Then you go to open houses. Then you submit your final choice by reliable deadlines throughout the year,’” said Kohlmeyer.
At the heart of this work is a commitment to listening to families and using data to drive change—which is why School App STL is partnering with the PRiME Center at St. Louis University to study how families navigate enrollment, surface real insights, and identify practical ways to make the process simpler and more responsive to what families truly want.
School App STL is reshaping how leaders think about education access across the system. By spotlighting underserved areas, tracking interest beyond city limits, and helping families find better-fit schools, it’s driving smarter, more equitable decisions. Its data can guide where new schools are needed and how policies like open enrollment can expand access.
To enroll your child, explore enrollment deadlines, or learn how School App STL can support your school or inform policy conversations, visit schoolappstl.org.
Schools interested in joining the platform can also use the site to get in touch with the School App STL team.